The CDC has announced that the E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak linked to I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter has grown again. Now 29 people in 12 states have been sickened in this outbreak. That is an increase of six people since the last update on March 21, 2017.
Three more states are now included in the count: Florida, Illinois, and Massachusetts. Twelve patients have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so serious. Two of the newly sickened have been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, which brings the total with HUS in this outbreak to nine. No deaths have been reported to date.
The case count by state is: Arizona (4), California (5), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), Oregon (9), Virginia … [Read more...]

The CDC has announced a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak is linked to soft raw milk cheese produced by Vulto Creamery in Walton, New York. Two people have died and six are sickened in this outbreak.
The case count by state is: New York (3), Florida (1), Vermont (1), and Connecticut (1). Illnesses began on September 1, 2016. All six patients were hospitalized. One person from Connecticut and one person from Vermont died. One illness was reported in a newborn. Infants can be born with Listeria monocytogenes infections when their mothers eat products contaminated with the bacteria. The bacteria can pass through the placenta because the mother's immune system response attacks the placenta.
The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was identified in samples taken from three intact … [Read more...]

At least 28 children and 2 adults were sickened after eating a catered lunch at the middle school Science Olympiad at Florida Gateway College in Lake City. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office had a notice posted on its Facebook page that those sickened were taken to hospitals for suspected food poisoning. The event was held on Saturday, February 4, 2017.
Ambulances were called from several counties to help transfer patients to Lake City Medical Center and Shands Lake Shore. Health officials in Columbia county and from the Florida Department of Health are investigating the outbreak. All of the patients were treated and released by Saturday evening.
A meal served at the event is being investigated as the potential source of the illnesses. Officials collected leftover food samples … [Read more...]

Twenty-one preschool children were taken by ambulance to three hospitals from Ave Marie Friends Preparatory School in Lauderhill, Florida on Monday, November 7, 2016. They were treated for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, symptoms of gastrointestinal distress and classic symptoms of food poisoning. Some of the children have been discharged from the hospital as of Tuesday night.
The school, at 5801 Northwest 19th Street, served the children lunch that was catered by an outside vendor. Jeff Levy, assistant chief of Lauderhill Fire Rescue told the Sun-Sentinel that "the only common denominator is what the children ate for lunch."
The Florida Department of Health is investigating the outbreak and did not respond to Food Poisoning Bulletin's questions yesterday. … [Read more...]

The Florida Department of Health is reporting that the number of cases of Vibrio vulnificus in that state is the highest in years to date. The total for 2015 so far is 42 sick, higher than any year since 2008. In 2013, the yearly total was 41 cases.
Even worse, the death toll from that illness is 13 in 2015, the highest since 2011. People in the following counties have died: Brevard (2), Duval (2), Escambia (1), Hillsborough (3), Lake (1), Marion (1), Pinellas (1), Pork (1), and Sarasota (1).
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that lives in salt water. It can get into seafood and contaminate it. It is from the same family as bacteria that cause cholera.
Anyone who eats contaminated seafood can become ill. The symptoms of Vibrio food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and … [Read more...]

At least 457 in 29 states have contracted parasitic infections from eating food contaminated with Cyclospora, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sixteen people have been hospitalized.
Symptoms of a Cyclospora infection, called cyclosporiasis, can last up to two months and include explosive diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, body aches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms. These symptoms can also last more than 60 days.
About 60 percent of those sickened, 275 people, reported feeling onset of symptoms on or after May 1, 2015. Of those case, the breakdown by state is as follows: Arkansas (2), California (2), Connecticut (3), Florida (11), Georgia (22), Illinois (6), Iowa (1), … [Read more...]

The Florida Department of Health is warning shellfish lovers and beachgoers about a Vibrio outbreak in that state. Vibrio is a flesh-eating bacteria that has infected seven people so far. Two people have died of their infections. People can develop this infection when they eat raw shellfish or if they swim in contaminated seawater with open wounds.
The symptoms of a Vibrio infection include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. A vibrio infection of the skin leads to ulcers and skin breakdown. Anyone with a weakened immune system can have serious complications with this type of infection. If the bacteria gets into the bloodstream, fever, chills, septic shock, and death can occur.
There were only 32 cases of Vibrio reported in Florida all of last year. Most infections occur between … [Read more...]

An outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease possibly associated with the water system at SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Altamonte Springs, Fla., has raised questions about what the hotel was doing to prevent such an event. That's because hotels, hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions with large man-made water systems are expected to guard against Legionella bacteria.
So far, the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County has confirmed three cases of Legionnaire's Disease, a type of pneumonia that can be fatal 50 percent of the time if no treatment is sought. The health department said all three patients stayed or had exposure to the SpringHill Suites Hotel Altamonte Springs/Maitland located at 205 W. State Rd 436. The most recent cases occurred in April and the health … [Read more...]

A food poisoning outbreak occurred at a catered event at the Maitland Colonnades office building on Lucien Way in Maitland, Florida on December 11, 2014. At least 55 people were sickened, and at least 25 people had to be taken to the hospital. Emergency workers helped 200 people at the event.
Because so many people were sickened so suddenly, within two hours of arriving at the party, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI were notified. Public health officials have launched an investigation and are interviewing patients. Samples from patients have been sent to labs, but it could take days or weeks to identify what made people sick.
Symptoms of the illnesses included "extreme abdominal symptoms" including vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. The caterer and food preparation … [Read more...]

According to WTSP, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is reporting an increase in cryptosporidium cases since July 1, 2014. Public health officials say that 157 cases have been reported by DOH-Hillsborough in the last two months. Last year, there were only 11 cases during the same time period.
Many of those sickened spent time at day care or schools during the incubation period. Most of those sickened are under the age of 15.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is passed through infected feces. It is spread after improper hand washing after using the bathroom or changing diapers. It spreads easily in chlorinated swimming pools and through hand-to-mouth contact.
Because of this alarming increase in the case count, officials are asking the public to help prevent … [Read more...]